Algae

Potent agonist at receptors for excitatory amino acids glutamate and kainate; has highest affinity for AMPA/kainate receptor of any kainate agonist; causes excessive excitation of neurons leading to depletion of energy stores.

Kainic acid monohydrate is an agonist at the kainate class of ionotropic glutamate receptors, which induces seizures and neurodegeneration in vivo and is used to induce experimental epilepsy in rodents and study the mechanisms of excitation-induced neuronal apoptosis.